Industry certification testing now available  after yearlong hiatus

Yavapai County residents required to take professional certification tests can get them done by appointment and in person at Yavapai College, which opened  its testing centers March 23.

The Centers, which have been closed for nearly a year because of pandemic restrictions, reopened March 23. Depending on the type of testing, County residents can make an appointment today  at either the Prescott campus or the Verde Valley Campus in Clarkdale.  Exam appointments and testing center schedules are available by accessing the Testing Center website, yc.edu/testing

Among the types of third-party or industry testing available include those for mechanic (ASE), emergency medical service (NREMT) and pesticide-use industries (METRO). Available tests by industry also are listed on the website.

During the pandemic-induced closure of the YC testing center – the only one of its kind in Yavapai County — individuals needing professional certification tests have had their credentials held up, or sometimes waited months to get tested in other jurisdictions, said Norma Ortega, Coordinator of YC Testing Services. “That’s why we need to let people know that we’ll be open by appointment.”

Many industry certifications are directly tied to employment and wages, Ortega said, citing teacher, mechanic and emergency medical technician certifications. Mechanics, for example, have to keep their certifications current. “And that can lead to a pay increase or to be able to actually apply for a job.”

In industries that use pesticides, workers cannot do their jobs without certification, Ortega said, noting that lack of access to professional certifications “has been very inconvenient for a lot of people.”

Area residents are reminded that face coverings are required for in-person testing and other current college COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

Along with the tools to make an appointment for an in-person test, additional information is available on the website. “Contact information is there too in case there is a need for additional assistance. We can sort it out for them,” Ortega said.

The YC Testing Center website address again is: yc.edu/testing.

Over 50% of  expense will flow to  Prescott Campus; Administration to cut back on projects in effort to find money to cover these costs

Yavapai Community College Vice President Clint Ewell delivered a sobering message to the District Governing Board regarding the need to find $14 million over the next three years if it is to properly maintain its facilities County-wide.   Well over 50% of the maintenance costs will go to the Prescott Campus.

Dr. Ewell said during his presentation on this topic that “we are really one of the best maintain colleges in the country at this point,  which is great because we think that’s the way to lower the total cost of ownership;  by not having any system failures that then lead to kind of secondary repairs that cost additional money.”

He also said that he was concerned that so much of the needed upkeep was coming due “right now.”  One of the reasons  is that a significant amount  of the construction on the Prescott Campus goes back to 2000 when a  $69.5 million General Obligation Bond was approved.  Repairs are needed as some portions of the facilities are coming near the end of their useful life.

The Community College will be cutting some projects in an effort to generate cash to meet the maintenance needs.   The video clip below may help explain the financial problem faced by the College. The complete context of this discussion can be viewed on the video posted by the Community College District Governing Board with its March 2021 minutes on its website.

In recognition of her “outstanding support of student success” in the first years of her presidency at Yavapai Community College

Dr. Lisa Rhine

Phi Theta Kappa, an international community college honor society, has named Dr. Lisa Rhine a Paragon President in recognition of her “outstanding support of student success” in the first years of her presidency at Yavapai college. 

The announcement was made in a Press release from the College on February 17.  A portion of the the press release follows:

Rhine became the Community College’s  10^th president in February of 2019 and within about a year on the job she was leading the college’s academic program, career-training and lifelong learning delivery through a pandemic-driven sea of change.

In a congratulatory letter to Dr. Rhine, PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner underscored the significance of the award nomination originating from YC student members of YC’s PTK chapter. “While you were nominated for this award by the highest-achieving students on your campus, this award is really about your commitment to the success of all students… This year you worked to mentor and develop student leaders in completely unfamiliar circumstances. Racial and political unrest and a global pandemic made 2020 the most challenging year in recent history—one that you have worked exceptionally hard to overcome.”

The student-initiated award surprised and humbled Rhine. “It really means a lot to me to be coming from them. Our students continue to amaze me with their persistence and drive toward their intellectual and personal pursuits in the midst of a pandemic.  While the college is doing its best to support our students while keeping them safe, it is our students who deserve recognition for their grit and determination,” Rhine said.

Autumn Re, one of the YC PTK members who nominated Dr. Rhine for the Paragon President award, said she was thrilled but not surprised to hear she had won. “I first met Dr. Rhine at the 2019 College Honors Reception and was immediately struck by how remarkable it was to have a college president so actively involved with students on the ground. This was just a few weeks into my first semester and experiencing her genuine consideration filled me with confidence that I had chosen a school which truly listened to and cared about its students. That belief has only grown stronger as Dr. Rhine continued to keep channels of communication open with all of us, even as she stepped up to address unprecedented times of unrest. Throughout last year’s political upheaval and pandemic, it was Dr. Rhine’s ongoing video updates and various student support campaigns that made me feel secure in my educational journey,” Re said. “As a student, I don’t think I could imagine a better college president than Dr. Rhine.”

PTK will fete Dr. Rhine during the general session of its virtual international convention on April 9.

Since 2019  has  served as  Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and  in January 2020  was named Interim Vice President of Instruction

Dr. Diane Ryan

Yavapai Community College announced  December 9 that it has appointed Dr. Diane Ryan to the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs. Since 2019, Dr. Ryan has served as the College’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and, in January 2020, was named Interim Vice President of Instruction.

According to the news release posted on the College’s Facebook, “the decision was made by Yavapai College President, Dr. Lisa Rhine . . .  after careful consideration of Dr. Ryan’s progress in the interim role over the last year.” Prior to the appointment, there was staff feedback conducted through a 360-evaluation process and small group discussions.  

“Dr. Ryan has demonstrated the ability to work with many different constituent groups to diplomatically address challenges and successfully implement new ideas. She is a conscientious and thoughtful leader that is already making positive strides in many areas in the Academic Affairs Division,” said Dr. Rhine.

Dr. Ryan vacates the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives position, which will be reallocated within the College.

Dr. Ryan has over 30 years of higher education experience, beginning her career as a professor in Communication Studies and English and working her way up as the Dean of Engineering, Science, and Mathematics. Dr. Ryan came to Yavapai Community College from Tidewater Community College in Virginia, where she was named Administrator of the Year in 2018.

Dr. Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from Western Illinois University and graduate hours in English from Old Dominion University.

Source:  Community College Facebook posting of December 9, 2020 by Tyler Rumsey.